And the arraignment circus begins. With world media cameras gathered outside the federal courthouse in Lower Manhattan and the court "perp walk" of Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores set to take place at around noon (eastern), a gaggle of rival protest groups have gathered.

MADURO SAYS HE IS NOT GUILTY OF US NARCO-TERRORISM CHARGES

MADURO SAYS HE IS AN INNOCENT, DECENT MAN

CILIA FLORES ALSO PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO US CHARGES

CILIA FLORES SAYS SHE IS `COMPLETELY INNOCENT'

The opposing groups appear to number in the several dozens each, some holding "USA hands off of Venezuela" and "US out of Latin America" signs - while others are celebrating the US ouster of the longtime socialist strongman who was accused by Washington last July of 'stealing' the national election which kept him in power.

Threats and slogans are being hurled in both Spanish and English across police-erected barriers. They represent the political divide not only among the Venezuelan community in the US, but also with some among contingent accused of being "paid Left-wing agitators". But we can also imagine that more simply anti-war Americans are among them, but also without doubt pro-socialist activists. The day is about to get a lot more interesting...